The Fox

     Previously I mentioned briefly that there was an upcoming contest that I was taking part in. It is the Second Skin contest in which artists are challenged to create a mask or "second skin" entirely out of paper with decorative mixed media permissible. I decided to create a fox mask. A literal transformation of my 2-D illustrations.
     This piece started as nothing but materials on the floor. The entire shape came from nothing. Beyond the shape there was the development of texture to look like tussled fur and the most time consuming portions was painting the face. It is a combination of many different layers, shades, pen work  and touch ups. In all this close to 80 hours of work. I can only help that it does well and I think I may revisit some mask making. It won't become a predominant medium by any means but a mask here or there could be a nice variation.
      You may be asking why a fox? I believe that things in nature resemble humanity, it's just pure and we could really take a lesson from it. THis even includes its inhabitants as they often behave in human like ways. In my work they always are part of minor, mundane actions or human emotion. They are characters as are we. However why so much emphasis on a fox? I chose a fox because I feel they are one of the most humanistic creatures. They have families, homes, quirks, patterns, play and personality. They are loving and sly; quick witted and mischievous. Watch there mannerisms and similarities emerge. As humans we often hid the trueness of our identity including everything from a complex dynamic to the most primal characteristics. I can relate to their purity and rawness of their essential personality. It’s something to be valued and thus I have donned a mask that instead of hiding my face reveals a primal purity.

 

Button Bonanza!

      The beauty of prints and illustrations is that they can nestle their way into essentially any physical shape and make new mediums their home. Illustrations are viable to our personalities and applicable to our every day lives. Using this thought it dawned upon me, "Why not buttons?". As there is no evident rebuttal I pursued forward and now a bit of a button bonanza has commenced.
     I learned the process of creating buttons which was actually not nearly as complicated as I had once assumed. It's actually rather therapeutic and i must force myself to resist making all my buttons at once simply out of neurotic repetition. Each button is hand illustrated and thus far I have 5 different fabrics. I had purchase parts to create 25 buttons so my thought was create  1 of each fabric blank and create 1 of each fabric with the illustration on it that I feel suites it best. All of these illustrations are still congruent with my theme and other artwork. It's literally wearable artwork that can accompany you every day. I presented the work this way so that if individuals like what they see then those buttons are ready for them. They also have the option to mix and match the fabrics and pre-presented illustrations. Finally as well there is always custom. I am always willing to design something uniquely just for them. I think everyone has a bit of a creative spirit but that doesn't mean they were given a gift to materialize those thoughts into product. This is where I come in.
     Buttons, as related to my work as they may be are slightly a different route and people may wonder why this. Simply I was curious what it would be like and whether I would enjoy their creation. I think it could be a wonderful avenue and if it doesn't hold up to quite that then it's only a diversion of a bit of time and materials while still not being a loss. If you are interested in these buttons you can always visit my Etsy shop ArdentPrints or simply follow this link http://www.etsy.com/listing/124308681/hand-illustrated-buttons-you-choose-your? . Enjoy, pass the word and remember custom is always an option.